A Gutsy Post

Today Ubuntu released version 7.10, "Gutsy Gibbon", a much anticipated upgrade to the widely popular GNU/Linux OS distribution.  Right now I am using my 2mb/s upload bandwidth to seed the Ubuntu Desktop CD, Ubuntu Desktop DVD , and the highly underrated Xubuntu distribution.

Last night I performed the upgrade on my laptop, so that I wouldn't be bogged down by the mass of users upgrading today.  Things went relatively smoothly and took a lot less time than a Windows install / upgrade.

The desktop CDs/DVDs are 'live' distributions, meaning that they can boot and be fully functional without installing to the hard drive.  I always keep a few of these in my 'fix other people's computers' toolbox, because it's a dependable OS you can use on an otherwise dead PC. The downside to running straight from the CD/DVD ROM drive is that it's much slower than a hard drive install.

Speaking of hard drive installs, there's a few ways to accomplish this, depending on your level of commitment.  If you are entirely sick of your Microsoft OS, you can choose the traditional install, partition and format your hard drive(s), and install Ubuntu.  If you have a vested interest in keeping your Windows install (or the data on your hard drive), you're not going to go with that option.

A second option is to obtain a free license for VMWare Server and install Ubuntu as a virtual machine.  You will essentially be running Linux inside Windows, and you will have decreased resources (RAM, CPU) because you are running multiple OS installs simultaneously. I actually prefer to do the opposite and run Windows inside Linux.

Yet another option is Wubi, an Ubuntu installer for Windows.  The concept seems pretty silly at first; why use a Windows installer for a Linux OS that should be a replacement for Windows? The answer is that Wubi allows for an install that sits 'beside' rather than 'on top of' (VMWare) or 'separate from' (partitioned dual-boot) your existing Windows install. The install is managed through the Windows Installer ( i.e. Add/Remove Programs) and adds an option to your Windows boot screen to start Ubuntu.

Of course dual boot is always an option, but probably the most difficult of any of these to properly install / configure.

If you've never tried Ubuntu, you should give the Desktop CD a try.  If you like it you might consider a Wubi install.  If you like it and want to run both Windows and Linux simultaneously on a gaming rig, try VMWare.  If you really like it and are ready to ditch Windows, you can either transition your Wubi install into a regular install or install from scratch.